Mommy kissin Santa Clause

Is it just me, or is playing Mr. & Mrs. Clause in  the wee hours of the morning the most romantic, fullfilling sexist thing you can watch your husband do?  Each gift placed with such care, each toy presented in the most thoughtful way with hopes to ensure the magic of it's reveal.   Each year after Santa'a visit we both just stand there, teary, arms wrapped around each other and gleam at how excited our little ones will be when the sun comes up.  Even all grown up, there is something magical about Christmas!

A lot like Christmas...

Tis the season... and while we are off to bit of a slow start ( i will admit it, as of this weekend, had not yet bought one gift!) I know, I know... I just try so hard to not to over shadow my  sweet Dane's birthday.  However, our tree(s) are up and the online shopping has begun!  And even "Kris" our Elf on the Shelf has made his debut and the kids just jump out of bed with anticipation each morning to find where they may find him next!

 We found him on the mantle in the man cave this morning and the boys both squealed when they found him.  I have also realized Jackson;s noticing him when on the verge of fussing about bath time or finishing his homework.  Something about his presence is a constant reminder that Santa is really watching!


We enjoyed our Mantech holiday party this weekend, and it was great fun!  Enjoyed socializing with my co-workers where everyone could let their hair down a bit and rause a glass to make spirits bright!

Making Tracks to 3 Years Old!

Our sweet one had a BIG birthday on Saturday and the debut of snow fall, at just the right time made the afternoon even more magical!

Beautiful snow fall!

"real snow!"

Holiday Organizer

Hooray! The holidays are here and each and every year, my first step to control holiday madness (a.ka. the chaos on which I thrive!) is to order my Holiday organizer.

I have used these adorable notebooks for the past 5 years to organize gifting, shopping lists, party and social schedules, sewing projects, kids crafts, donations and baking. They are so festive and fun and the best part of every event or season is organizing it!

Over the years each little organizer has become a treasured jounal of our family's Christmas season, storing annual Christmas story and celebrations. I enjoy going back through each to see what Santa brought the boys are they grow, what friends sent Holiday cards, and the fun parties and celebrations we toasted to.   In fact, this year while I was looking through last year's binder, I found a gift card to Olive Garden!! Yeah baby!!! (probably stuck in the handy pocket to be re-gifted, yikes, soory dad...he is the gift card king!)

Gooseberry Patch also has great choch-kies to stock up on for the cart boy or neighbor you may have forgotten!

"Chanello"

With the time change, I have re-committed to my morning time run. The weather is simple gorgeous and I have so enjoyed the Fall leaves. I hope to condition myself to the colder weather as the temps continue to drop... and speaking of winter running, nothing can motivate me like Chanel! Charlotte's pregnant run from SATC Movie (fav) is Ll the more graceful with her ears so stylish and warm! Now I just need some Chanel ear muffs of my own - yeah, that should do the trick do sustain my monday morning motivation!
For other "mommys on the run" I had to share this fun blog I stubled upon searcing for new running songs for my little mp3. Her Monday Morning run post is hillarious... and she really hit the nail head in her last sentance! Be sure to comment with what is pumping through your headphones lately.

Girlfriends Getaway

With a long weekend in Florida planned, as a birthday gift from the hubs, I was so excited to get a way from the kids, cold, and grind for a few days of girlie time! My girlfriends and the JLGWH (very near and dear to my heart) hosted central FL's most fabulous shopping event of the season and we kicked it off with the Girl's Night Out on Friday! I just had to list a few of my favorite vendors. Gorgeous interior designs Best jeans adorable tennis gear and of course this adorable handsewn kids garments
A long time favorite of my girlfriends is the most fabulous little boutique that we all simply adore. We love giving gifts from Ella G's almost as much as we love getting them. Owner, Amy *W* named her store after her daughter...how cute is that! Amy's spot at the Merry Market certainly set the stage for a beautiful Holiday Home and all the fun the season brings! Amy and a few members of her creative team are pictured above. xo guys, thanks for your love and support :-)

*J* and I were so excited that we can now accessorize in the shower! These shower caps were too fun!

Reunion Show

Timing was perfect for my quick jet set to FL and I spend the afternoon on Sunday at the Allen Family Reunion. Enjoyed seeing all the fam and catching up - but couldn't help thinking about on consistent oddity year after year. Have you ever noticed how you and your parents/siblings/granparents go to the annual reunion and end up sitting, chatting, and eating mostly with those parent/grandparents/siblings that you see all throughout the year. You know, the ones in your immediate family that you probably rode to the event with? Odd right? We did just that, and it was a nice afternoon with Nana/Poppa, Shawn, Gary, Lyssa, and of course Mom. Our whole crew wasn't there as we are pretty spread out now, but don't worry we talked about you :-) (some was even good!)

Halloween Fun!

It was quite a bit of work, but so worth the effort for the boy's to have homemade costumes! I mean, hello?!, an aspiring Fashion Designer like myself can't be outfitting my children in store bought costumes!


We had a great time trick or treating in our new neighborhood this year, and let me just say - these folks are serious about this fall holiday! The Heimers fit right in as we to love the thrill of spook and fun of the season. Our Mummy and Thomas the Train costumes came out adorable and (almost) even lasted through hours of TorT'ing adorned on 2 tough boys!

Dane's Mane

My sweet little baby's blonde curly cues and ringlet ringers are gone! I can honestly say, however, that it was time. Not because of the constant ridicule and remarks about my angels gorgeous locks (you know who you are) or the fact that was often identified by strangers as a girl (ps, this totally did not bother me, he is just that beautiful!). It really was just becoming too difficult to manage. Each night conditioning and combing and tangles, and Dane did not enjoy the after bath routine mommy had to carry out for the high-maintenance, toddler mane taming! Take the poll to right and tell us Which Dane Wore it Best!?

National Leslie Heimer Day

My annual 29th Birthday, (National Leslie Heimer Day) was an exciting on as I celebrated with some new collegues, in a new town, as a new Southern Maryland resident. Traditionally my mom, sister and I head to NYC for a fall shopping excursion for my birthday, but with so many changes this year, we just couldn't swing it. Though missing my friends and family back home, but they carried the torch in celebrating National Leslie Heimer Day back in FL. My new MD friends and family, along with my sweet boys showered me with well wishes, suprises and hugs. My hubby made my day super sweet here on the East Coast and we celebrated with a romantic dinner at Corbels downtown and then went across the street to our fav "chillaxing" spot, Old Towne Pub for dessert and cocktails!

Knowing how much I have been missing my girlfriends, he suprised me with tickets to make it home for our annual SHOPFEST at the JLGWH Merry Market with my girls.
IN ADDITION...(that little sweetie pie) had me open a box of golf balls only to find a new camera! After having 4 cameras in the past 2 years, J vowed that the 'ol Blackberry camera phone would be the one and only. Entirely inadequate with two young children (and a blog to maintain...hello!?) looks like he has finally given in and I love my new Sony Cybershot Noted Fashion Photographer Nigel Barker has one (perhaps a slightly different model than mine - lol) My camer it has built in photo shoping tool that adds touch ups. Yes, imagine the time I save now!hahaha Thanks dollface!

Fall Ball winds down

Thank Goodness! Ok, listen I love my boys - but they are just so... boyish!?! baseball and golf and bikes and bugs. I truly enjoy Jackson's games once I am there, but usually chase Dane around the complex and now (newsflash for the Heimers) IT IS COLD!! Only one week left, and our "Angels" have had a great season! (can you guess which one is Jackson?...)

It's Happening... Seasons Really do Change!

jackson playing in the leaves on our street...picture perfect!


So as an 8th generation Florida native, not sure I noticed much the difference in temperature, trees, or other weather causing conditions. But the leaves are officially beginning to change here on the East coast! It is truly gorgeous. Not realizing that the cold temps would come so quickly, we haven't yet unpacked our Fall/Wnter clothes and most of them are still in Florida in storage. Well, Jackson is already wearing coats to school and asks me weekly if there is snow in the forecast! We are starting a leaf collecting project, so please share your tips on leaf keeping, if you are at all martha-esque!